Sara Innamorato picks up key labor endorsements in Allegheny County executive race

Sara Innamorato, the Democratic nominee for Allegheny County executive, secured several key labor endorsements this week, two months after the Republican candidate in the race locked up a few labor endorsements of his own.

Innamorato was endorsed Friday by the Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council, a local branch of the AFL-CIO which represents 100,000 workers in Western Pennsylvania, including many in the building trades. Also this week, she picked up endorsements from the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Operating Engineers Local 66, all of which are affiliated with the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council.

“Together, we will rebuild our aging infrastructure, build more accessible transportation and invest in our communities to ensure everyone can thrive in this region,” Innamorato, a former state representative from Lawrenceville, said in a statement accepting the Operating Engineers’ endorsement.

Her opponent in the county executive race, Republican Joe Rockey, secured an endorsement in June from Pennsylvania District Council of the Laborers International Union of North America, citing Rockey’s more moderate views on energy policy and support of natural gas drilling.

Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council President Darrin Kelly said the council believes she will “stand on the side of working people.”

“Our endorsement reflects the fact that Sara Innamorato is without a doubt the best candidate in this race for organized labor and all working families,” said Kelly.

He said the group’s members will canvass for her this fall.

The carpenters union, which represents 42,500 members across the Mid-Atlantic, said it endorsed Innamorato because of her advocacy against construction industry tax fraud, right-to-work legislation and the misclassification of workers as independent contractors.

“With Sara as our next county executive, workers will have a seat at the table where decisions get made and we can be confident that our members will be able to thrive right here in Allegheny County,” said Steve Mazza of the Carpenters Council Representative.

Tom McIntrye, business manager of IBEW Local 5, cited Innamorato’s continued presence at labor rallies, strikes, and other union advocacy events.

The group of building trades unions joins hospital employees ,service workers, teachers and electrical laborers unions in endorsing Innamorato’s campaign.

Election Day is Nov. 7.